How to Fact-Check AI Content Like a Pro

The power and risks of AI-generated content

AI tools make generating content incredibly efficient. With AI, you can complete tasks that used to take hours—like writing, editing, and revising—in minutes. But this speed comes with a challenge: accuracy. AI doesn’t “think,” make connections, or prove its point like a person; it predicts the most probable desired outcome for your prompt based on patterns from massive datasets. It’s not trained for accuracy. Because of this, AI produces errors—which is why it’s crucial to have a human fact-check AI output before publishing AI-generated content.

In this blog, we’ll explore the rise of AI-generated content, why it is essential, and practical tips on ensuring that the information you share is accurate and reliable.

What is AI fact-checking, anyway?

AI fact-checking is the process of verifying AI’s output to ensure it does not contain factual, grammatical, or other errors. It ensures that your content is credible and accurate, protecting your personal or brand reputation and avoiding preventable legal or ethical risks.

Why does fact-checking AI matter? 

Because AI tools can’t truly “understand” its output, generated content may contain errors, outdated data, or even fabricated information. That’s why it’s critical to verify the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of information generated by artificial intelligence tools. 

For example, imagine you’ve just used AI to generate a job aid after equipment manufacturers notified the team of a safety risk. You pull up AI chat and use the product alert to draft the document. The draft seems well-written, but a closer look reveals it includes several inaccuracies. Plus, there’s a product diagram for machines you don’t even have! What started as a time-saving solution could have put your credibility and employees at risk if you hadn’t looked closely.

How can you fact-check AI content effectively?

As AI’s role in content creation grows, so does the need for fact-checking, as inaccurate or misleading information can easily slip in and cause serious trouble.

To fact-check AI-generated content, follow five practical steps: 

1. Look for citations and sources

The easiest way to start is to prompt your AI tool to include sources when generating content. If AI tells you where it found the information, it’s that much faster to validate it.  

What to do:

• Search the entire article to verify the statistic is accurate and in context.
• Use the command Ctrl+F to search the site or document for a specific claim or quote.
• If AI didn’t provide a source, investigate further. Try entering the statistic into your preferred search engine. 

2. Cross-check with trusted sites

If AI doesn’t provide a citation for the claim, try double-checking the claim with other reliable sources. 

What to do:

• Use credible sources and trusted sites, such as government or non-partisan research institutions.
• Try a deeper academic database search with tools like Google Scholar. 
• Use fact-checking tools like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or PolitiFact.

If you still can’t validate the claim, reconsider using it in your final draft. 

3. Spot inconsistencies or contradictions

AI can sometimes create content with conflicting statements. For instance, a piece might present a claim in one section that contradicts itself later in the text. Find these issues and correct them to ensure your final draft is clear.

What to do:

• Read carefully to find contradictions or errors.
• Make sure the key points are clear, consistent, and aligned with your prompt goals.

4. Verify timeliness

AI tools can reference outdated information regarding rapidly changing topics like technology, science, or current events. It’s crucial to verify that claims and citations are up to date.

What to do:

• Verify details are current, especially for fast-changing topics like tech or news.
• Look for recent sources or updates.
• Try searching a more recent date range for updates. For example, if the claim came from a 2024 report, try searching for a 2025 or 2026 report to discover updates. 

5. Consult an expert for niche topics

While general AI tools excel in general knowledge, they aren’t as effective in specialized fields such as medicine, law, or engineering. The exception is AI models trained for a specific use, typically available as a subscription or custom-developed by your organization. However, if you’re using off-the-shelf general AI tools and your content delves into highly technical, professional, or niche subjects, consult an expert in the field to ensure accuracy.

What to do:

• Reach out to professionals to verify complex or technical details. Minor errors can have significant consequences in some specialized areas.

What are the risks if I don’t fact-check AI content?

Failing to fact-check AI-generated content can lead to several serious consequences if inaccurate content slips through the cracks, including:

• Legal risk. Inaccurate or misleading content can result in legal action, particularly if it violates copyright laws, spreads false information, or defames individuals or businesses. Organizations must ensure AI-generated content complies with all regulations to avoid potential lawsuits or fines.
• Reputational damage. If AI-generated content contains errors or misinformation, it can damage a brand’s credibility and trustworthiness. Customers and stakeholders expect accurate, well-researched content. Failure to deliver can ruin relationships and public perception.
• Ethical responsibility. Organizations have an ethical duty to provide the public with truthful and accurate information. AI can inadvertently spread bias or misinformation, or perpetuate harmful stereotypes and mislead audiences—especially when addressing sensitive topics such as health, civics, politics, or science.
• Search engine penalties. Search engines like Google prioritize high-quality, authoritative content. A low-quality or inaccurate site label can hurt a site’s search engine ranking and visibility.

The critical role of fact-checking in AI-generated content

AI-generated content is a game-changer for scaling your content, but it’s just a tool—without fact-checking, it can easily backfire, leading to misinformation and damaging your brand’s reputation. By taking the time to cross-check facts, verify sources, and consult experts when needed, you can confidently share reliable and trustworthy content. 
Remember, fact-checking is not just an optional step—it’s a responsibility to your audience. Not sure where to start? Check out our blog post, Why You Need an AI Policy.